Who is Kenya Gipson outside your bio?
Kenya: A woman of great faith, tenacity, and perseverance who has cultivated an unconditional sense of self-worth by leveraging trail and tribulation.
Can you tell us more about E.A.S.E. and the inspiration behind launching it?
Kenya: E.A.S.E. is an acronym for Energizing Active Strength Exercise. It’s a wellness platform that fuses movement with mindset to help train both the body and the brain to move past self-limiting beliefs and create the results you want in your health and life.
What advice would you give to new mothers who feel they will never be the same after birth?
Kenya: Give your body time. It took almost an entire year to go through your pregnancy journey, it will take at least that amount of time for things to resume to “normal.” Be patient with yourself, be patient with your body. There’s no such thing as the “snap back” when it comes to motherhood. Its one step at a time.
Why is it important to create awareness about the black maternal health crisis and access?
Kenya: Black women are 3 times more likely to die or experience complications related to childbirth compared to other races. We have to self-advocate as a means of survival in order to overcome the misconceptions and biases that affect our experience when it comes to quality of care. The more access to resources and information we ensure healthier outcomes in communities of color.
You’re also the host of a nationally syndicated radio segment and podcast called Power Move. Can you tell us more about it?
Kenya: Power Move features multicultural creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. I created Power Move to give creators of color a voice and space to get their ideas, products, and innovations in front of a more diversified audience. The Warren Buffet’s of the world need to know the power that creators of color carry, so they can sow into that vision, and we can start to recirculate that wealth back into our own communities.
You’re always the host of the MEternal podcast on iHeart radio. How did that come about?
Kenya: I was seventeen when I became pregnant with my first child. Being both socio and economically challenged I was stamped by society as another statistic and burden to the “system.” My pregnancy journey with my son was difficult and I felt judged and neglected by my healthcare provider at the time, especially during my labor and delivery where I was suffering from undiagnosed preeclampsia, unnecessarily induced, and rushed into an emergency cesarean that put my baby’s life at risk as well as my own. Later, in life when became pregnant with my daughter, I knew I wanted a better experience and armed myself with all the information to self-advocate, ask better questions, and set better expectations with my healthcare providers. This changed my whole pregnancy outcome the second time around. MEternal came as a result of God’s grace to use my story to liberate other mothers of color who were struggling to find their own self-worth and not feeling adequate enough to speak up for themselves to get the healthcare they deserve regardless of social status. The platform turns one year old in October, and I’ve been extremely fortunate to share the platform with women who have powerful stories and insight as to how we can change the narrative when in comes to maternal health in our communities.
Knowing that a work-life balance is important, how do you maintain that balance with work, family, and yourself?
Kenya: Every three months I take a vacation. Whether it’s a trip or staying at home I took the time off to rest and spend time with my family. I also dedicate one day a week, typically Sundays to rest and reflection. I use this time to fuel up my spirit with good worship music, reading my Bible, and quality time with God at my home or at church. I believe you can create a sanctified space anywhere to rejuvenate your spirit.
What would like our viewers to gain from this interview?
Kenya: Your story is not just for you it’s for others to be set free. God is no respecter of persons. What seem to be trials or shortcomings are the things God uses to propel you on your journey. Whether that’s motherhood, entrepreneurship, or being creative in general; It does not matter how you get started in life. If you’re willing to stay true to yourself and believe that your story carries value, God will put the right people across your path to notice your efforts and help push you into your purpose.
How can people remain connected with you?
Kenya: @coachkenya on IG or Kenya Gipson on LinkedIn
Photo Credits: Photo Provided
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